Hog ringing and castrating crate.



E. BUTTS. HOG RINGING AND CASTRATING CRATE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 22. 1915.

Pamnted May 8, 1917.

HOG- RING-ING AND CASTRATING CRATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 8, @917.

Application filed March 22, 1916. Serial No. 85,842.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EUGENE Burrs, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Evansville, in the county of Rock and State of .Visconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hog Ringing and Gastrating Crates, of which the following is specification.

My invention relates to improvements in crates for ringing and castrating hogs, and the main object of my invention is the provision of a crate which will permit of the ringing or castrating of the animal in a rapid and eiiicient manner and which can be produced at a very low price to bring the crate within the reach of persons desiring such an article.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a crate which while specially constructed for use for ringing or castrating hogs will be capable of service as a shipping crate and perform all of its functions in an efhcient and practical manner.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a crate of the character and for the purposes stated which will be simple and durable in construction, compact in size and light in weight and in general prove a desirable and useful article.

To attain the desired objects my invention consists of a crate having open ends provided with sliding doors, a hinged bottom forming a platform and means for raising and lowering said platform to bring the animal into position for placing the rings in the nose or for castrating as may be found necessar The invention further consists of a crate embodying novel features of construction and combination of parts for service substantially as shown, described, and claimed herein.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a crate constructed in accordance with and embodying my invention, one side being removed and the platform being shown in lowered or normal position.

Fig. 2 is a similar View with the platform in raised position, to present the animal for ringing or castrating.

Figs. 3 and 4 are end views of the crate, and

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the complete crate.

Referring by letter to the drawings in which similar letters denote the same parts in all the views The letter A designates the open frame work or supporting structure of my crate which is of oblong or rectangular form and to which are fastened the slats B, forming the vertical sides, the slats C, forming the top, the guide strips D, at each end in which fit and are guided the doors E and E, the door E being retained in place by the latch bar F, and keepers G, and the door E is provided with an opening H, to admit either the nose or the posterior portion of the animal, and with a pair of leg receiving openings H.

It will thus be seen that I provide a crate which is open at both ends and that the open ends are controlled by vertically sliding doors, one having an opening and the bottom of the crate is formed by the strip or platform J, hinged at K, and formed with the pair of guard strips L, which hold the animal upon the platform and prevent the legs from slipping between the slats forming the sides.

To the other or free end of the platform is connected the lower end M, of the rope or chain N, which passes upward and is adapted to be wound upon the drum 0, having its shaft P, journaled in brackets Q, secured to the crate, the shaft carrying a hand crank R, and a ratchet wheel S, adapted to be engaged by the pivoted pawl T, for retaining the drum in proper position.

In raising the crate for the purpose of ringing or castrating, one of the doors is raised and the animal driven into the crate and upon the platform, the door then being closed to trap the animal. The crank is turned winding upon the drum the rope or chain and lifting the platform to an inclined position, as shown in Fig. 2, forcing the nose or posterior of the animal through the opening H, of the door. The animal is firmly secured in this position and the operation of ringing or castrating can be performed quickly and etliciently.

It will thus be seen that I provide a crate which will prove of great service upon the farm and which is within the reach of the farmer or persons of limited means.

I claim:

The combination with an open ended crate of rectangular construction, of sliding doors mounted in the open ends thereof, one of said doors having a centrally disposed enlarged opening to admit either the nose or posterior portion of the animal and a pair of leg receiving openings disposed near its bottom and on either side of said enlarged opening, a platform forming the floor of the crate and having one end free and its other end hinged to the crate near the door having the openings, said platform having guides on either side to prevent the feet of the animal from slipping therefrom, and means for elevating the free end of said platform consisting of a drum mounted on Copies of this patent may be obtained for the top of the crate, a handle for operating the drum, a rope connected to the free end of the platform and Wound upon said drum, and a pawl and ratchet on the drum and crate for securing the platform in raised position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

EUGENE BUTTS.

Witnesses GEORGE KnYLooK, LULU MILLER.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents: Washington, D. C. 

